1903-1907 apprenticeship as an art and interior design painter in Hamburg. 1907-1911 study at the Kunstgewerbeschule Berlin with history painter Max Friedrich Koch. 1911 study trip to Paris, where he studied nude painting. 1913-1914 expedition draughtsman in West Africa.

1915-1918 military service. 1919-1932 teaching position for figurative drawing at the Darmstädter Kunstgewerbeschule, member of the Darmstädter Secession. From 1920 teaching position at the Staatliche Kunstakademie Kassel. 1933-1946 private teacher due to the closure of the Kunstakademie Kassel, at the same time on the road as travel painter. 1947-1953 teaching position for studies of nature and professor for painting at the newly founded Staatliche Werkakademie Kassel.